Wladimir Klitschko now holds the record for the longest reign in HW boxing history

Mendoza you and I are in agreement about Wlad. In fact, I think I rate Wladimir higher than you do. But when it comes to Vitali, we are in total disagreement. I rate Wlad above Vitali. I also strongly think Vitali absolutely needs to fight one legitimate top 5 contender before he retires. He cannot go out with a win over manuel charr. That would be less than appetizing.

 

This is my stance. Chris Byrd was almost universally recognized as #1, no lower than #2, and Wlad, after Peter, #2, no lower then #3.

That's a pretty solid platform for establishing new lineage, honestly.

 

Wlad gets shafted a bit, I think. Especially in regards to this lineage dispute-- Byrd will suffice for me, and he's been the 'legitimate champion' since and almost inevitably going down as a Top 10 Heavyweight if he isn't right there already. That doesn't hurt one bit either, he's 100% class and credit to the sport.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIqgViSn3IA&feature=youtube_gdata_player"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIqgViSn3IA&feature=youtube_gdata_player[/ame]

 

Only legit argument that I can see is that Lamon Brewster was the best heavyweight not named Chris Byrd, and was then beaten by Liakhovich.

You could only argue that Liakhovich should have been ranked higher then Wlad, imo. And even then, Wlad had the superior resume; I don't think you deserve to simply fill the rank of the guy you beat unless you have a resume that can close to match your vanquished foe. Sergei punched his ticket into the top 5 or 6 with his win over Brewster, but Wlad and Byrd were 1 and 2, I absolutely agree.

 

Good article. :good

I agree entirely with what you are saying about The Ring's decisions, held up to the standards they themselves professed. They copped-out.


But my own view, is that I now recognize Wladimir as the real champion, not through any particular single result or any belt he might hold, but by the fact that he has dominated for so long.
On the other hand, perhaps I under-rate his brother and closest rival.

 

Belts are title claims. Those claiming to be champions should fight each other to determine a champion who is unified and undisputed.

 

Its like dempsey-wills in that respect. Two guys head and shoulders above their peers.

 

Very similar case, luf. Dempsey wouldn't fight a brother too.

 

And yet, he's still universally recognized as a top shelf, legendary heavyweight.

Some fights don't get made. I try to judge a guy based on the results and the performances as much as I can...Ducking is a knock, obviously, but when the ducking is 100% mutual, I don't know that it can be called avoiding. That's where I think I give him a bit of a pass; Even if he wanted the fight tomorrow morning, he couldn't get it, and vice versa.